Article of furniture



(N0 Modl.)

J. BERKEY.

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE.

Patented Apr. 10, 1888.

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INVENTOH. a B7 ,7

' rralm n UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS BERKEY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

ARTICLE OF FURNl-TURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,741, dated April 10. 18818.

Application filed Jnnuar; 21, 1857.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I,JUL1Us BERKEY, a citizen 0f the United States, residing at the city of Grand Rapids, county of Kent, and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Article of Furniture, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an article of furniture substantially in the form of a tripod for the various uses hereinafter mentioned; and its object is to provide such an article in such form that with little or no change it can be used for all these purposes, and this object I accomplish by the mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention when in one ofits several positions ready for use. Fig. 2 is a view of the same folded. Fig. 3 is one form of the shelf. Fig. 4. is another form of the same. Fig. 5 shows the method of attaching the shelf to the supports. Fig. 6 shows my method of forming a joint between the supports.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

B B B are the main supports, being three rods or poles of any desired length and form, and having, if desired, ornamental knobs or other finish at one or both ends, as G GG and I I I. These supports are crossed a short distance below the top and so fastened together that each turns freely, and by increasing the distance between them at the bottom the height of the device may be diminished at will. As the most desirable form of making this connection,I have used a round ball, D, and have cut out of the face of each of the supports where it comes in contact with the surface of the ball a cavity of corresponding form, so that the convex face of the ball fits closely against the concave face of the support and a smooth joint is formed, entirely concealing the pin or screw o,whicl1 passes through the support and into the ball, as shown in Fig. 6, and forms a pivot permitting the free motion of the support. To the outer end of this pin 0, I attach a hook, E, as shown, and also, for a finish, attach the ornamental head or plate N. At suitable intervals on the supports I also attach the further hooks or pins F F and H H. (Shown in Figs. 1 and 2.)

A in Fig. 1 shows a shelf or stretcher at or Serial No. 225.052. (No model.)

near the bottom of the article. This shelf may be made in various forms; but I consider the form shown in Fig. 1, being howl-shaped with scalloped edges or an inserted scalloped edge of wire, to be the most desirable, as adapted to the most uses. I may, however, use any suitable form of stretcher that will operate to keep the supports B B B in position, as described. I attach tliis shelf to the supports of the tripod by screw-eyes B B, inserted in the supports at a suitable distance above the bottom. A second series of these screw-eyes, as B B, may be used, permitting the vertical adjustment of the shelf, and additional sets of screw-eyes may be inserted to provide for as many different positions of the shelf as are desired. Upon the edge of the shelf, at points opposite each of the three supports, I fasten loops or cars B, as shown upon an enlarged scale in Fig. 5. After the shelf is in position, as shown in that figure, a quarter-turn of the screw-eye B will lock the shelf and prevent its displacement, and at the same time keep the supports of the tripod from separating more than is desired. It is evident that a vertical adjustment of the shelf will affect the space the tripod occupies upon the floor as well as its height. At a suitable distance below the ball D a chain, G C, may be attached to the tripod, as shown in Fig. 1. This chain prevents the device from spreading too far, and also, when the device is used as a hall-stand or for similar purposes, serves as a support for the upper ends of umbrellas or canes, which rest on the shelf below.

Figs. 3 and 4 show other forms of the shelf. The former is a plain fiat shelf with some cen ter ornamentation, if desired. The latter is provided with the removable drip-pan K,and is designed for use where an umbrella-stand is desired.

The form of the shelf shown in Fig.1 I consider to be the form most generally useful. The tripod, by removing the shelf, may readily be folded in the form shown in Fig. 2. In this way a large number can be packed for ship ment in a small space, and the bowl-shaped shelves can at the same time be nested, thus greatly economizing room in shipping or storing.

My invention may be applied to many differ ent uses. As a hall-stand the free upper ends of the supports may serve as a hat-rack, while coats are hung on books Eand F or pin H,which in the location shown are so nearly over the center of gravity that they can carry considerable weight without danger of tipping the tripod. At the same time the bowl A and the chain 0, in combination with the other parts, make an umbrella-rack, from which the coats are kept away by the supports of the tripod. For parlor use, the bowl-shaped shelf, with its scalloped edges or with any suitable projections, forms a ledge upon which apicture may rest, thus making a three-faced easel. At the same time the shelf may be used to hold brica-brac, or any desired articles of ornament or use. As a plant-stand the shelf will support the potted plant, while the tripod will serve as a support for running vines, if desired. The article may also be used as a ladys workstand, a letter and paper receiver, a rack and stand for the dressingroom, and for many similar uses which will readily suggest themselves, the whole forming a new and a cheap and exceedingly useful piece of furniture, easily set up and adjusted without the use of tools, and as easily taken down and packed in small space for storage or shipment.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim to have invented,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. As a new article of manufacture, a tripod adapted to be used as a hall-rack or parlorstand, having the supports B B B, suitably joined near the top, and the shelf or stretcher A, vertically adjustable within the supports, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The shelf or stretcher A, for a tripod for furniture uses, projecting beyond the supports B and constructed with projections upon its edge to retain a picture or other article resting upon it.

3. The combination of the supports B, shelf A, screw-eyes B, and loops B, the screw-eyes attached to the supports and the loops to the shelf andthe screw-eyes adapted to be turned and lock the shelf in position, substantially as described.

4. In a tripod to be used as furniture, the supports B, suitably jointed near the top, the

adjustable shelf A, with the retaining devices described, and the chain 0, substantially as and for the purposes shown.

JULIUS BERKEY.

Witnesses: I

ARTHUR G. DENISON, A. A. STEVENS. 

